Clifford Bradford Russell
MilitaryFold3.com
Clifford B. Russell was born in Bozeman, Montana and raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940 from Portland, Oregon. He received his wings at the 63rd A.A.F. Flying Training Detachment in Georgia in Nov., 1943 and was sent to England assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group. In late June 1944, the 405th was ordered to move out of RAF Christchurch and into Picauville Airfield, France (near St. Mere-Eglise).
According Missing Air Crew Report (MACR 8511), on August 14, 1944, he was leading an armed reconnaissance mission to Calais. On his return, his flight ran into a group of 20 German aircraft. He was last seen diving in pursuit of an ME-109 at the time of his loss.
His Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (#42-76471) impacted the ground at Fontaine La Guyon, France.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 405th Fighter Group 510th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-452514
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot, squadron commander
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 405th Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
Revisions
Added a connection to A/C #42-76471 listed in the "Summary biography".
Added the A/C S/N to the "Summary biography" from the MACR 8511 at fold3.com.
See: https://www.fold3.com/image/28660782
Fold3.com; TogetherWeServed.com: MACR 8511; Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil